Applicator tip improvements



Feb. 25, 1964 S. SHAPlRO APPLICATOR TIP IMPROVEMENTS Filed Jan. 19, 1961 FIG. 2

United States Patent 3,121,905 AEPLICATOR Til EMPRGVEMENTS Samuel Shapiro, R0. Box 214, Postal Terminal A, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Filed Jan. 19, 1961, der. No. 83,782 4 Claims. (Cl. 15-552) This invention relates to improvements in applicator tips for dispensing packages or other dispensing or applying means for materials, including such materials as paste type shoe polish, floor wax, and the like, which may be dispensed and applied in a manner similar to the manner in which paste type wax materials may be dispensed and applied.

In using a brush to apply or spread paste or wax type shoe polish, it is difiicult to prevent particles of the polish from falling onto floors or rugs, or if the shoes are not removed, from getting onto the stockings or other wearing apparel, and this is the case whether the polish be taken from a collapsible tube or common can type of container. Similarly, in using a piece of cloth to apply or spread the polish, it requires careful attention and skill in order to avoid staining the floors or fingers or clothing. Some, in fact, prefer to use the naked fingers in the spreading of the polish, since in this way better control of the polish may be obtained, and all parts of boots and shoes may be better covered without polish inadvertently being put on clothing, floors, or carpeting. Although various attempts have been made to facilitate the application of polish to boots and shoes by means of various dispensing devices, none of these has been capable of applying polish equally well and satisfactorily onto surfaces in hard to get at corners as well as onto surfaces in more exposed positions, and there has as yet been no satisfactory means whereby good quality paste type stain or wax polish might economically, rapidly, thoroughly, cleanly, easily, and satisfactorily be applied to all parts of boots and shoes.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide improvements in applying means for materials, including such materials as paste type shoe polish, floor wax, and the like, which may be dispensed and applied in a manner similar to the manner in which paste type Wax materials may be dispensed and applied, whereby such materials may thoroughly, rapidly, evenly, cleanly, and satisfactorily be applied to all parts of boots and shoes normally requiring polish.

It is a further object of the resent invention to provide improvements in applying means for material having a consistency similar to that of paste type Wax materials, including such material as paste type shoe polish, floor wax, and the like, whereby such material may be satisfactorily applied onto surfaces in hard to get at corners or onto surfaces in exposed positions, directly from a suitable dispensing package.

The novel applicator tip of the invention consists essentially of a cloth covering and a suction-cup-like component secured in position atop the discharge outlet end of a suitable dispensing package, with the suction-cup-like component intermediate between the applying tip end of the cloth covering md edges of the discharge outlet so as to form, with the cloth covering, a contact dispensing sort of application chamber for paste type stain or wax or similar materials.

The suction-cup-like portion of the application chamber may consist of a relatively firm backing or partitioning means, suitably perforated so as to allow the entry of materials from the main body of the dispensing package upon manipulation of the dispensing means, with relatively sharp, preferably resilient, flexible flanges secured in position about the outer periphery of the discharge outlet in such a manner as to keep the cloth covering separate from the backing portion and the edges of the discharge outlet and facilitate the application of polish or other similar material onto surfaces in tight corners, such as occur between the soles and the uppers on most boots and shoes, as well as onto relatively flat or exposed portions.

The flexible flanges serve a multiple purpose; they provide flexible and resilient supporting means at the applying tip end of the cloth covering; they provide suitable cushioning means for the container edges; they provide sharp, flexible edges which facilitate the application of paste type materials into tight corners; they provide, with the cloth covering, an intermediate storage reservoir, so that repeated manipulation of the dispensing means is not necessary during the application of the shoe polish or other material onto the surfaces to be coated; and by virtue of their flexibility and resiliency, which permits their flexing back and forth as required by the pressure exerted upon them during the process of application, thus helping to level out and spread the polish across the backing within the application chamber, they assist and improve the plunging action of the backing or partitioning means, and thus expedite the movement of the polish or other paste type stain or wax or similar materials through the cloth covering and onto the surfaces to be coated.

Only a small amount of polish is usually present on the outer surface of the applying tip end of the cloth covering at a given time, and this is usually separable from the cloth covering only by the direct contact or movement of the outer surface of the cloth covering against against a suitable surface, so that the dissemination of small particles of polish is thus forestalled, and the accidental spilling of a greater or lesser part of the contents prevented. The cloth covering thus serves as a combined restraining and applying means for paste type stain or wax or similar materials.

Additional objects and advantages, if not specifically set out, will become apparent during the course of the following disclosure.

The invention accordingly comprises the novel means, exemplified in the following detailed disclosure and fairly coming within the scope of the accompanying claims, by which good quality paste type stain or wax or other similar materials may conveniently and satisfactorily be applied onto surfaces in hard to get at corners or onto surfaces in exposed positions, as well as devices or components of devices possessing the novel features of constructions or combination or relation of components or elements also exemplified in the following detailed disclosure and also fairly coming Within the scope of the accompanying claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying non-limiting examples of embodiments of the invention, which have been chosen for illustrative purposes only, and which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FlGURE 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a preliminary working model, illustrating a preferred type of embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2- is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating another preferred type of embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating yet another preferred type of embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a variation to a preferred type of embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional 3 view illustrating another variation to a preferred type of embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating another possible type of variation.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a complete preliminary working model of a preferred type of embodiment of the invention. The numeral 10 designates a preferred type of embodiment of a suction-cup-like component having relatively sharp, resilient, flexible flanges 12 which constitute an interposing or spacing or cushioning means, between a relatively firm backing or partitioning portion 14 having an entry hole 16 and a conically recessed rear face 18, and a combined restraining and applying component 20, and having a circumferential groove 22 which fits onto interior retaining ridge 24 of rigid storage cylinder walls 26.

The combined restraining and applying component 20, which may be soft, flexible, and foraminous, and which in this case may be fabricated out of ordinary white sugar sack material of the kind commonly available in grocery stores and supermarkets, is disposed about component 10 and the outlet end of storage cylinder walls 26 and is held in place by an elastic type securing component 28 and an elastic type flexible shield 30 which is preferably impervious to and unaffected by the contents to be dispensed.

Elastic type shield 30 is intended to exert pressure inwards upon that portion of applying component between it and the suction-cup-like component 10 and forestall the movement, of materials intended to be dispensed or applied, between it and the component 10, in order to thus forestall materials from being applied from any but the applying tip end 21 of applying component 20. An additional or alternative shielding effect to help forestall materials from being dispensed or applied from any but the tip end 21 of applying component 20 may be obtained by painting or impregnating or coating that portion of applying component 20 shown held in position between shield component 30 and component 10 with material impervious to the material to be dispensed or applied, such as with, for example, model aeroplane type paint or some other such similar or suitable material. Elastic component 28 and that portion of restraining and applying component 20 held in position between it and the storage cylinder walls 26 fit into a special groove 32 provided in thicker end portion 34 of storage cylinder walls 26.

The soft foraminous restraining and applying component 20 may be especially fabricated to fit over the dis charge outlet end of storage cylinder walls 26, and may have an elastic component similar to elastic component 28 attached to it before the assembly of the various component parts of an embodiment of a type similar to that shown in FIG. 1. An elastic type flexible shield component similar to shield component 30 may also be attached to an applying component similar to applying component 20 before such an applying component is mounted on a suction-cup-like component or over the end of a discharge outlet of a suitable dispensing means.

An airtight seal is intended to be provided between cap 36 and thicker end portion 34 of storage cylinder walls 26 by means of a suitable seal 38 which may be fabricated out of any suitable rubber or plastic or similar material, and which fits into a special groove 40 provided in the thicker end portion 34 of storage cylinder walls 26.

Paste type stain or wax or other similar materials to be dispensed may be pushed outward through hole 16 by the action of piston 42, which may be advanced towards hole 16 by the rotation of control knob 44 of piston advancing screw 46. Piston 42 and piston advancing screw 46 are threadedly engaged along the entire length of their mating surfaces. An air and material tight seal is intended to be provided between piston 42 and the interror surface 48 of the storage cylinder wall 26 y means of a suitable seal 50, which fits into a special groove 52 in piston 42, and which may be fabricated out of any suitable rubber or plastic or other similar or suitable material.

Removable end piece 54 is threadedly engaged to the interior threaded end portion 56 of storage cylinder walls 26 and has a central opening large enough to allow clearance for piston advancing screw 46. An airtight seal is intended to be provided between the removable end piece 54, and the interior champhered portion 60 of stor age cylinder walls 26 by means of a suitable seal 62 which may be fabricated out of any suitable rubber or plastic or similar or suitable material.

Piston advancing screw 46 is prevented from being pulled through central opening 58 by any two suitable nut components, 64, and 66, which should first be tightened up against seal 68 and interior surface 70 of removable end piece 54, and then against each other, in order to thus provide a locking action by virtue of the pressure of nut 64 against nut 66, and thus forestall the movement of either nut component with respect to piston advancing screw 46.

Seals 68 and 72 may be fabricated out of any suitable rubber or plastic or other suitable material, and need not be an especially tight fit between control knob 44 and removable end piece 54 and between removable end piece 54 and retaining nut component 66, inasmuch as they are intended mainly to provide suitable bearing surfaces in order to facilitate the relative rotational motion of those parts.

Provision may be made for seals 68 and 72 to fit into shallow grooves or against shallow ridges which may be provided in the undersurface of control knob 44 and in the interior surface of removable end piece 54 in order to provide a mechanical locking means whereby the edgewise movement of seals 68 and 72 may be prevented or forestalled.

Cap 36, storage cylinder walls 26, removable end piece 54, control knob 44, and screw 46, and retaining nut components 64 and 66 may of course be fabricated out of any suitable material, but for the purpose of the present disclosure have been intended to be shown fabricated out of brass.

In using an embodiment of the type shown in FIG. 1 in applying a coat of polish, it is only necessary to pull off cap 36, or to remove an equivalent component which may be threadedly fastened to an equivalent of thicker end portion 34 of storage cylinder walls 26, and to then rotate control knob 44 in such a direction, depending on whether piston 42 and piston advancing screw 46 have right or left hand threads, as to cause piston 42 to advance towards hole 16, so as to load or charge the contact dispensing application chamber 74 by pushing a. quantity of polish through hole 16, and to then apply the applying tip end 21 of applying component 20 directly to the surface to be coated, using a reasonably firm and gentle smearing or spreading motion.

The sharpness and flexibility and resiliency of flange or flanges 12 enables an edge of applying tip end 21 of applying component 20 to be easily manipulated into tight corners such as those occurring between the soles and the uppers on most boots and shoes, thus greatly simplifying the application of polish onto surfaces in such normally hard to get at places.

The flexibility and resiliency of the flange 12 permits it to flex back and forth as required during the process of application, thus helping to level out and spread the polish across the backing within the application chamber as well as assisting and improving the plunging action of the backing or partitioning means 14 with respect to the applying tip end 21 of the applying component 20 and expediting the movement of paste type stain or wax or other similar materials through the restraining component 20 and onto the surfaces to be coated. This latter action is especially helpful in applying polish to surfaces such as those along the edges of leather soles, as well as onto other normally more readily polishable exposed surfaces. i

If the applying tip 21 has not previously been impregnated with polish, it may be necessary to start the movement of the polish through the tip 21 by pressing and smearing the tip end 21 of the applying component 20 against and across a piece of newspaper or other trial surface after loading the dispensing compartment application chamber '74, before commencing to apply the tip 21 to a surface intended to be coated with polish. Such starting action should only be necessary when employing a previously unused applying component.

In loading the application chamber 74, care should be taken not to overload, since this would put unnecessary strain on the elastic component 28 and shield component 30 which hold the applying and restraining compo-- nent 20 in position. The application chamber '74 may be easily judged to be sufiiciently loaded by watching for the applying tip end 21 of applying component 20 to begin to assume a slight outward bulge. The application chamber need normally only be loaded once or twice during the course of the application of polish to a of boots or shoes. 3

The movement of the polish from the application chamber 74 through applying tip end 21 and onto the surfaces to be coated occurs automatically upon the contact or movement of the applying tip 21 of applying component 2% against a surface to be coated.

Before applying a coating of polish, it is of course necessary to first prepare the surfaces to be polished by removing any foreign matter such as dust, mud, and the like, just the same as would ordinarily be requined before applying paste type stain or wax polish by ordinary means. I

Most of the tirne, shoes requiring only a superficial dusting before the application of polish may be cleaned merely by buffing them lightly with the same soft cloth which will be used to impart a shine after the shoes have been coated with polish, and in this case, if the cloth is clean to begin with, it is easily possible to complete the entire process, including the preliminary dusting, the application of a suitable coating of polish, and the shining, in a very few minutes, without a trace of polish being left on the fingers or anywhere else except as intended.

A soft paper tissue of the large size commonly sold in drugstores and supermarkets may be used instead of a cloth, .to clean and shine the shoes, although this may having to be replaced several times in the shining of a single pair of shoes, with each tissue being discarded as it becomes soiled and worn, in order to thus keep the fingers always in contact with a clean tissue.

vIn the case of shoes worn mainly in oflices and homes, or on dry streets, it should usually be possible to keep the shoes always in an easily polishable condition, by the regular application of a coating of good quality paste type stain or wax polish, and such regular application should of course be facilitated by the use of an embodiment of the type shown in FIG. 1, which should preferably be leakproof and orushproof in ordinary circumstances. Such an embodiment may easily be carried in pocket or purse, or packed suitcases and taken on trips, or even left in a bottom corner of a desk drawer, along with a few tissues, thus ensuring the ready availability of a fast and convenient and economical shine at all times.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another preferred type of embodiment of the invention. The numeral Elli) designates a collapsible tube of the type commonly used for toothpaste and other paste type materials, having a firm shoulder 202 and an externally threaded discharge outlet housing 2%. Mounted in threaded engagement upon the discharge housing 264- there is shown a suction-cup-like component 206 having a firm backing portion 20-3 and outwardly extending resilient flexible flanges 210, about which a combined restraining and applying component 212 is secured in position by means of an elastic component 214 and elastic type flexible shield 216. The hollow stem or mounting portion 218 of suction-cup-like component 206 is preferably a tight fit at every point of contact with collapsible tube 2%, and hole 22th in suction-cup-like component 206 is preferably just slightly larger in diameter than hole 222 in discharge outlet housing 204.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 may be used in much the same way as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, except that instead of manipulating a control knob, in order to actuate a piston, as in an embodiment of the type shown in FIG. 1, the contents of the dispensing package shown in FIG. 2 may be forced through the opening 220 in suction-cup-like component 2% merely by squeezing the sides of the tube 2% with the fingers, in the same way that a toothpaste tube should be squeezed in order to discharge toothpaste.

An embodiment of the type shown in FIG. 2 might be kept in an airtight container, perhaps similar to an ordinary jam-type jar, except that a more elongated jar would be handler in keeping such an embodiment upright for easier access when required, especially if the jar itself were shorter than the overall length of the embodiment, and if the difference in length was made up for by the use of an elongated or recessed lid or cap.

A dispensing compartment application chamber type applicator tip assembly similar to the dispensing compartment applicator tip assembly of FIG. 2 might be made up as an independently functional unit which might be used to apply polish and other suitable materials to surfaces without the necessity of being attached to a dispensing package or other dispensing means, although it could incorporate means whereby it might be charged and recharged with suitable materials, and also means whereby it might be attached to or dismounted from a dispensing package or other suitable dispensing means. When not in immediate use such a unit might also be kept in an airtight container. Provision might be made for a suitable plug and handle or plug type covering means to be attached to or over part of such an independently functional unit in order to make the handling of such an independently functional unit more convenient.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variation to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The numeral 3% designates a sucticn-cup-like component having relatively sharp, preferably resilient flexible flanges 302, a relatively firm backing or partitioning portion 3M, entry holes 3%, and an attaching portion 3&8. Backing 394 may be reinforced against the pressure of the contents of container 316 by means of reinforcing plate 312, which has holes 314 especially arranged to match entry holes 3% in backing 364. The numeral 316 designates a combined restraining and applying component which may be secured in position by means of an elastic element 313, an elastic type flexible shield 32d, and a reinforcing elastic element 322. The numeral 324 designates the rigid storage cylinder walls of a suitable dispensing package for floor wax or similar materials, which may utilize a piston and suitable piston actuating means to force the contents of the container through holes 314 in reinforcing plate 312 and holes 306 in backing 304, in suitable amounts as required, so that floor Wax or other similar materials may be applied to a floor or other surface directly out of the dispensing package, by way of the contact dispensing application chamber 326, in much the same way that shoe polish may be applied to the relatively flat surfaces of shoes directly from the dispensing compartment application chamber of an embodiment of the type shown in and described in connection with FIG. 1.

A dispensing compartment application chamber of the sort shown in FIG. 3 might also be useful in applying paste type wax materials to floors or other surfaces from a dispensing means other than a dispensing package; for example, a dispensing apparatus might be fabricated to accommodate paste type floor wax or similar materials in cartridge form, and materials thus accommodated might then be supplied via rigid passageways or flexible tubing or other connecting means to an applying means, forming part of the dispensing apparatus, and utilizing a dispensing compartment application chamber to assist in the application of such or other similar materials.

In order to guard against the drying out of the materials to be applied and the loss of function of some of the component parts, all applicator tips or other applying means as well as the materials to be dispensed should be kept in airtight containers or be otherwise protected against the drying effects of the free air, when not in actual use.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variation to a preferred type of embodiment of the invention. The numeral 400 designates a dispensing container having a discharge outlet hole 402 in a closed end 404. The numeral 406 designates an elastic type flexible flange component having a flanged portion 416 and a support portion 412 specially adapted to mate with the closed end 404. A combined restraining and applying component 414 is held in position about fiange component 466 by means of an elastic element 416.

Referring now to FIG.5, there is shown a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of another variation to a preferred type of embodiment of the invention. The numeral 500 designates an annularly groove flexible resilient flange component which fits onto flange 502 of rigid container walls 504, which have a ridge 566 against which backing and partitioning plate 508 which has an outlet hole 510 is intended to fit and also an outer ridge 512. A combined restraining and applying component 514 is held in position about grooved flange component 5% and the outlet end of rigid container walls 564 by means of an elastic type comopnent 516.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another type of variation possible in the construction of the same sort of contact dispensing application chamber type applicator tip. The numeral 600 designates a flexible, resilient, interposing component which is held in position against backing and partitioning plate 662, which has an outlet hole 604, by means of combined restraining and applying component 606 and a heavy duty type elastic type component 603. The numeral 610 designates the storage compartment walls of any suitable rigid dispensing container.

While many changes in the actual dispensing packages themselves are doubtless desirable for commercial production and marketing, and although many are in fact contemplated by the applicant, such changes are believed to be beyond the scope necessary to a complete disclosure of the present invention, and may in themselves form the subject of one or more future applications. Accordingly, the devices or portions of devices shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are intended merely as non-limiting illustrative examples only, of some of the numerous ways in which various types of variations, making use of flexible, resilient, but essentially stationary mechanical interposing or cushioning means between a restraining or applying component or element and a relatively firm backing or partitioning means, or between a restraining or applying means and the edges of a discharge outlet of a suitable dispensing means for such paste type stain or wax or similar materials, might be made in a basic type of embodiment of a dispensing compartment application chamber type applicator tip for dispensing means for materials, including such materials as shoe polish, floor wax, and the like, which may be dispensed and applied in a manner similar to the manner in which paste type wax materials may be dispensed and applied, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Since certain changes may be made in the above devices or components of devices Without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intenled that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In an applying means such as an applicator tip for paste-type wax materials and the like, a dispensing compartment comprising a backing member, a flexible foraminous material restraining member displaced from said backing member and a circumferentially extending flexible intermediate member extending from the backing member and having the tip end thereof in contact with the restraining member, said foraminous member overlying the tip end and having side portions extending along the outer side of the intermediate member, whereby pressure on the material in the compartment causes the material to pass through the foraminous member along a zone closely adjacent to said tip end so as to coat an external surface contacted thereby, and means comprising a shielding band in gripping engagement with said portions with one end thereof positioned relatively close to said tip end to prevent material from emerging through the side portions except from that part thereof closely adjacent to said tip end.

2. In an applicator tip as set forth in claim 1 wherein the intermediate member comprises a flange-like tapered flexible Wall portion having a relatively sharp free applying end whereby the free end is adapted to enter within a narrow groove or recess in the article being coated.

3. In an applicator tip as set forth in claim 1 wherein the intermediate member comprises a circular flange extending at substantially a right angle from the backing member, said flange being tapered to form a relatively sharp free end and being formed from flexible material.

4. In an applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the backing member is perforated, a tube-like hand grip element secured to said applicator and including a reservoir adapted to hold material that is to be forced into the compartment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,355,482 Lees Oct. 12, 1920 1,726,399 Lipton Aug. 27, 1929 1,989,201 Kurtz et al Ian. 29, 1935 2,143,712 Rissman Jan. 10, 1939 2,351,476 Borden June 3, 1944 2,365,908 Runnels Dec. 26, 1944 2,474,969 Bengtson July 5, 1949 2,716,250 Deakers Apr. 30, 1955 2,853,728 Nadai Sept. 30, 1958 2,985,906 Reimann May 30, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 213,755 Switzerland Mar. 15, 1941 

1. IN AN APPLYING MEANS SUCH AS AN APPLICATOR TIP FOR PASTE-TYPE WAX MATERIALS AND THE LIKE, A DISPENSING COMPARTMENT COMPRISING A BACKING MEMBER, A FLEXIBLE FORAMINOUS MATERIAL RESTRAINING MEMBER DISPLACED FROM SAID BACKING MEMBER AND A CIRCUMFERENTIALLY EXTENDING FLEXIBLE INTERMEDIATE MEMBER EXTENDING FROM THE BACKING MEMBER AND HAVING THE TIP END THEREOF IN CONTACT WITH THE RESTRAINING MEMBER, SAID FORAMINOUS MEMBER OVERLYING THE TIP END AND HAVING SIDE PORTIONS EXTENDING ALONG THE OUTER SIDE OF THE INTERMEDIATE MEMBER, WHEREBY PRESSURE ON THE MATERIAL IN THE COMPARTMENT CAUSES THE MATERIAL TO PASS THROUGH THE FORAMINOUS MEMBER ALONG A ZONE CLOSELY ADJACENT TO SAID TIP END SO AS TO COAT AN EXTERNAL SURFACE CONTACTED THEREBY, AND MEANS COMPRISING A SHIELDING BAND IN GRIPPING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PORTIONS WITH ONE END THEREOF POSITIONED RELATIVELY CLOSE TO SAID TIP END TO PREVENT MATERIAL FROM EMERGING THROUGH THE SIDE PORTIONS EXCEPT FROM THAT PART THEREOF CLOSELY ADJACENT TO SAID TIP END. 